1. Boyer Lectures: Michelle Simmons and the Atomic Revolution, ABC iView
The 2023 Boyer Lecture series is called 'The Atomic Revolution' and is presented by Professor Michelle Simmons AO. Michelle is a pioneer in atomic electronics and global leader in quantum computing. Across the four lectures she’ll explore manufacturing at the atomic scale, why Australia is perfectly positioned to build the world’s first error-corrected quantum computer, and the importance of doubt in science. 
The series started on Sunday, 22nd October and two lectures are now available on iView here and Radio National here
The first lecture covered computing machinery that used to fill an entire room has now shrunk to the size of individual atoms. Working at this scale promises unfathomable computing power. Professor Simmons tells the story of this miniaturisation — and how Australia found itself at the forefront.

2. Try the Physics World Dark Matter Flow Chart.  What kind do you prefer?
The flowchart will help guide you through the maze of possible options for this stuff, be it familiar stuff like massive compact halo objects (MaCHOs) or non-baryonic matter like neutrinos, WIMPS, gravitions, sterile neutrinos or maybe even axions or something to do with supersymmetry. Or perhaps you’d just rather modify our theories of gravity instead.
You can download a copy of the image on the side and blow it up to follow the flow chart.  This is the original, brief article .
3. How sound is the model used to establish safe radiation levels?
It is generally accepted that ionizing radiation – no matter how low – is a risk to human health. Robert P Crease argues that this notion needs to be examined more carefully.
Ionising radiation can damage living organisms, that’s clear. But there are big questions over the validity of the linear no-threshold model (LNT), which essentially states that the risk of cancer from radiation and carcinogens always drops linearly with dose. The LNT model implies, in other words, that any amount of radiation is always dangerous and that zero risk is present only at zero dose.

But it is not the only dose-response model that exists. The “threshold model”, in contrast, says there is a dose below which there is no perceptible risk, implying that small exposures to radiation are harmless. Then there is the “hormesis model”, which says a small dose at or slightly above natural background levels can, in fact, trigger beneficial repair mechanisms.

4.  Network Evening: Talk, Dinner and Catching up. Weds 13th December
The next Network Evening is on Wednesday, 13th December, at the Auburn Hotel, starting at 6pm.
Topic: What does the 2023 Nobel Prize mean for School Physics?
Speaker: Prof Jeffrey Davis, Swinburne University.  Prof David leads the ultrafast spectroscopy group.
Abstract: The 2023 Nobel prize for developing attosecond pulses of light and associated technologies offer contexts to enrich the teaching of quantum physics at the secondary level.
Cost: $45, (40 for Vicphysics subscribers)
To Book: Click here. for Flyer. 5. Events for Students

a) Physics Days at Luna Park in 2024
The dates for 2024 are Monday 4th March to Friday 8th March.
Luna Park bookings will not open until December, but schools can now seek approval for their school administrations.  The student fee will be $31.50 and a deposit of 30% is required to confirm the booking.
Aerobatic displays have been requested, but confirmation is not received until February.
The worksheets have not been updated since they were first written in 2004.  The terminology for forces has changed and there have been some content changes, so the worksheets will be updated in Term 4.

b) Astrochemistry – identifying the molecules present in interstellar space. What’s out there?, 6:30pm, Thurs, 26th Oct, University of Melbourne.
Topic: Interstellar Chemistry and the Mystery of the Diffuse Interstellar Bands
Speaker: Prof. Evan Bieske, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne
Abstract: When light travels to earth from distant stars it is absorbed by molecules in the intervening space. A long-standing mystery is connected with the diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs), more than 500 absorption lines in the visible part of the spectrum, which until recently could not be connected with any known atom or molecule. Explaining the DIBs, which are presumably associated with exotic molecules, represents one the greatest challenges in molecular spectroscopy. Speculation has abounded – including claims that the DIB carriers are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules, carbon chains, dipole-bound anions, porphyrins, or colour centres in crystals. So far, despite intense experimental efforts, none of these candidate molecules has explained any of the DIBs. It was not until 2016 that five of the bands were assigned to the buckminsterfullerene cation, C60+. What of the remaining 500 DIBs? There is something out there, but what is it?
Venue: Glyn Davis Theatre, University of Melbourne
Catering: Canapés and Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream from 6pm
To Book: Click here.

c) Spooktacular Space - Things That Go Bump in the Dark!, 5:30pm - 8pm, Tues 31st Oct, Swinburne University
Join the Swinburne team for an exhilarating journey through the cosmos as they present "Spooktacular Space: Things That Go Bump in the Dark," a Public Lecture co-organised by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav), ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter
Particle Physics, and the Centre of Astrophysics and Supercomputing at Swinburne University.

Event Highlights include:

• Panel Discussion on mysterious cosmic phenomena
• Delectable themed canapés, grazing platters and drinks
• Dress Up for Halloween (Costumes Optional)
• Giveaways and a costume contest
• Stargazing with telescopes on the terrace (if the weather permits)
• Networking in the Sky Lounge *sort of under the stars

*This is a FREE event, registration is required for catering purposes.  Open to all ages - Families are welcome!
Panel: Prof Matthew Bailes, Dr Yuanming Wang, Renee Kay and Dr Sara Webb as MC.
To book and more details, click here.

d) DARK MATTERS: Interactive Tour, Science Gallery University of Melbourne
In this facilitator-led experience, students will be guided through the DARK MATTERS exhibition. In collaboration with Arts at CERN and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics, DARK MATTERS explores the fundamental essence of life and the universe, and how so much of it remains a mystery to us. This exhibition deep dives into the unseen, the unknown and the unspoken – will we ever fully understand the forces at play in our own lives, both on an individual level and on a planetary and universal scale?
Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours.
Times and Dates: Between 11am and 5pm, Tues to Friday until 2nd Dec
Cost: $50 service fee plus $8 per student or $4 for low-SES and regional schools
Venue: Science Gallery, 700 Swanston St, Carlton
To Book: Click here.

e) STEM Schools Roadshow, 27th Nov - 8th Dec
University presenters will travel to low SES and regional schools, delivering activities to inspire high school students to study science.
Science Delivery aims to encourage students from a diverse range of backgrounds to study science and go to University, and ensure any barriers they are facing do not stop them from achieving their career goals. The program is presented by Bachelor of Science students from the University of Melbourne, who have all overcome challenges to achieve success in their studies. 
The program is aimed at students in Year 7 – Year 10
Dates: 27th Nov - 1st Dec (Melbourne), 4th - 8th Dec (Warrnambool region)
Cost: Free
Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours for 1 to 2 classes
Style: Students will firstly gather together to watch the science demonstrations, and then break off into small groups to work through science activities. They will then gather together again to hear more from the presenters and to wrap up the session.
For more details, click here.

6. Events for Teachers 
 a) Physics at 5. An opportunity to network
Wanting to bounce around some lesson ideas, mull over a tricky question, or unpack a physics concept?
Vicphysics is hosting a weekly, half-hour online Zoom drop-in session on Tuesdays at 5:00pm.
Great opportunity to check in with other colleagues about any aspect of Physics teaching and learning!  The discussions will be moderated by members of the Vicphysics Committee.
This is the zoom link. The Meeting ID is 815 1456 7258 and the Passcode: 459295. The Waiting Room will be used.
The same link, ID and passcode will be used for future Tuesday gatherings.
Each meeting is planned to go for about 30 minutes.
b) Webinar with Paul Davies, Was there a Big Bang? 12:00pm, Tues 31st Oct
The Arizona State University in the US is holding a Zoom Webinar titled 'Was there a Big Bang?'.  It will feature Paul Davies and Maulik Parikh, both of whom are at the Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science at Arizona State University.  The webinar is at 6pm Monday, 30th Arizona time, which correspond to midday, Melbourne time on Tuesday, 31st October.
Description: Recently, several astronomers and physicists have called into question the universe’s age and whether the Big Bang even happened. They argue that the Big Bang is contradicted by recent evidence from the James Webb Space Telescope and that there is a better explanation for why our universe appears the way it does. Some alternative theories suggest the universe isn’t expanding at all, or if it is, the age of the cosmos is perhaps twice as large as previously thought. I will review the evidence for and against these claims and where cosmologists go from here in our attempt to understand the origin of the cosmos.
To register: click here.
  The Royal Society of Victoria is holding a Forum on Science Education with speakers, Prof Amanda Berry, Professor of STEM Education at RMIT and Prof Jan Van Driel, Professor of Science Education at Melb Uni along with a panel of the Director of Tech Schools with Ed Dept and the President of STAV.
What do teachers need to feel supported and valued in sustaining their practice, and what do our primary and secondary students need from teachers to feel engaged and inspired by the challenges of the science curriculum? Join two leaders in pedagogical research to explore opportunities to improve both student outcomes and the status of science teaching in Victoria.
Venue: Royal Society of Victoria, 8 La Trobe St, Melbourne and online
Cost: $10 in person, $5 online
To register and for more details, click here.

d) Free online PD from ANSTO over three evenings in November
This free course on Isotopes, Radioactivity and Nuclear Medicine aims to build teacher understanding of the benefits and challenges associated with the production of nuclear medicines.  ANSTO will also model new ways to teach Year 9 and 10 students about isotopes and radioactivity using ICT, real data and science inquiry skills.
Dates: Wednesday 8th, 15th, 22nd November from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, except 15th which runs until 9:00pm
For more details and to register, click here.
 

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9.   Physics News from the Web
Items selected from the bulletin of the Institute of Physics (UK).
Each item below includes the introductory paragraphs and a web link to the rest of the article.
a) How Vera Rubin broke barriers and convinced the astronomy community that dark matter exists
A review of the book Bright Galaxies, Dark Matter, and Beyond: the Life of Astronomer Vera Rubin by Ashley Jean Yeager prepared by Emma Chapman.
b) Is the use of the word 'boffin' in the media having a negative impact?
The Institute of Physics (IOP) has launched a campaign to persuade journalists to stop using the outdated slang term “boffin” when referring to scientists. Philip Moriarty of Sixty Symbols fame has produced a video that discusses the pros and cons of the campaign.
c) Europeans at underground spas to experience the dubious benefits of Radon.
Guests of the Gasteiner Heilstollen spa in Austria can don their swimsuits and hop on a small train that takes them more than 2 km underground to caverns where they can “bathe” in radiation given off by naturally occurring radon gas. Radon bathers receive a radiation dose that’s about 25% of a medical X-ray. An article in the Guardian about the experience and what ARPANSA and WHO says about Radon.
Some Radon Data:
The concentration in the air at Gasteiner averages 43 kBq/m^3, with a maximum value of 160 kBq/m^3
The concentration is some mineral waters can reach 2000 kBq/m^3
ARPANSA recommends reference levels of 200 Bq/m^3 for households and 1000 Nq/m^3 for workplaces.
The half-life of Rn222 is 3.8 days.

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